JP2022514844A - Methods, devices, and machine-readable media related to wireless access in communication networks - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods, devices, and non-temporary machine-readable media for radio access in a communication network comprising a radio access network node and a radio optical communication network node are provided. In one embodiment, the method is performed by a radio access network node to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with a radio device in a communication network. Radio access network nodes include multiple antenna elements that can be configured to provide multiple transmit or receive beams. The communication network further includes one or more wireless optical communication (LC) network nodes. The method obtains information that identifies the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected and selects multiple transmit or receive beam subsets based on the identified wireless LC network node. It involves initiating a beam sweeping process using a subset of transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with the wireless device. [Selection diagram] FIG. 1b

Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wireless access in communication networks, in particular to methods, devices, and machine readable media for wireless access in communication networks including radio access network nodes and radio optical communication network nodes.

Transmission points for wireless wireless communication networks are increasingly equipped with sophisticated antenna systems. These antenna systems increase the capabilities and / or coverage of existing wireless systems with the addition of antenna arrays. This allows the use of beam forming techniques to increase the received signal strength for signals transmitted in and received from a particular direction. The wireless device also comprises a multi-antenna transceiver. Thus, wireless devices can further apply beam forming techniques to benefit from beam forming gain in a particular direction for both transmitted and received signals.

Therefore, in order to benefit from the beam forming gain, the transmitting device, whether an access point (AP) or a wireless device, transmits the beam in the direction of the receiving device with a higher gain. A suitable transmit beam (eg, shape and / or direction) must be identified. Similarly, the receiving device, whether AP or wireless, is the appropriate receiving beam (eg, shape and / or direction) to receive the beam with higher gain in the direction of the transmitting device. ) Must be specified.

This result is typically achieved through a process known as beam sweep, in which the transmitting device transmits a beam in all predetermined directions, for example by a burst and / or at regular intervals. The receiving device makes a measurement on the transmitted beam using all of the receiving beams of the receiving device and reports the measurement result to the transmitting device so that an appropriate transmit / receive beam pair can be identified. Transmission and corresponding measurements are performed on all possible transmit and receive beam pairs to ensure that the best beam pair is selected.

This selection of transmit and receive beam pairs can be performed as part of several different processes in the network. For example, during an initial system access to a wireless wireless communication network (eg, to ensure that the optimal beam pair continues to be used over time), during a handover from one wireless access point to another. In addition, the transmit and receive beam pairs can be identified after a radio beam link failure and / or during an ongoing connection. In the latter case, the beam pair can be reidentified on a regular or event-driven basis (eg, depending on the received signal quality or intensity dropping below the threshold).

Transmission and corresponding measurements are performed on all possible transmit and receive beam pairs to ensure that the best beam pair is selected. This requires a very long time and can be accompanied by very large signal overhead in the network. If the process is faster or more efficient, it will free up wireless resources for other devices trying to access the network.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to solve these and other issues.

In one aspect, there is provided a method performed by a radio access network node for selecting a transmit beam or a receive beam for communication with a radio device in a communication network. Radio access network nodes include multiple antenna elements that can be configured to provide multiple transmit or receive beams. Communication Network Further includes one or more wireless optical communication (LC) network nodes. The method obtains information that identifies the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected and selects multiple transmit or receive beam subsets based on the identified wireless LC network node. It involves initiating a beam sweeping process using a subset of transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with a wireless device.

Further provided are devices and non-temporary machine-readable media for carrying out the method described above. For example, in one aspect, a radio access network node configured to perform this method (and other methods described herein) is provided. In another embodiment, a radio access network node for selecting a transmit beam or a receive beam for communication with a radio device in a communication network is provided. The communication network further includes one or more wireless optical communication (LC) network nodes. Radio access network nodes include processing circuits, non-transient machine-readable media, and multiple antenna elements that can be configured to provide multiple transmit or receive beams. The non-temporary machine-readable medium, when executed by the processing circuit, acquires information to the radio access network node that identifies the target radio LC network node to which the radio device is connected, and the identified radio. A subset of transmit or receive beams to select multiple transmit or receive beam subsets and to select transmit or receive beams for communication with wireless devices based on the LC network node. Remember the instructions to start and do the beam sweeping process using.

In another embodiment, there is provided a method performed by a radio device for selecting a transmit beam or a receive beam for communication with a radio access network node in a communication network. The wireless device comprises multiple antenna elements that can be configured to provide multiple transmit or receive beams. The communication network further includes one or more wireless optical communication (LC) network nodes. The method involves connecting to a radio LC network node, selecting multiple transmit or receive beam subsets based on the target radio LC network node to which the radio device is connected, and the radio access network node. To perform a beam sweeping step using a subset of transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with.

Further provided are devices and non-temporary machine-readable media for carrying out the method described above. For example, in one aspect, a wireless device configured to perform this method (and other methods described herein) is provided. In another embodiment, a radio device is provided for selecting a transmit beam or a receive beam for communication with a radio access network node in a communication network. The communication network further includes one or more wireless optical communication (LC) network nodes. The wireless device comprises a processing circuit, a non-transient machine-readable medium, and multiple antenna elements that can be configured to provide multiple transmit or receive beams. A non-temporary machine-readable medium, when executed by a processing circuit, connects to a wireless device to a wireless LC network node and to a plurality of wireless LC network nodes based on the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected. A beam sweeping step using a subset of transmit or receive beams to select a subset of transmit or receive beams and to select transmit or receive beams for communication with radio access network nodes. Remembers what to do and what to do.

A further aspect provides a method performed by a wireless optical communication (LC) network node in a communication network. The communication network further includes one or more radio access network nodes, each radio access network node forming its own radio cell. The method includes establishing a wireless LC connection with a wireless device and transmitting an informational message to the wireless access network node, including an indication that the wireless device has been connected to the wireless LC network node.

Further provided are devices and non-temporary machine-readable media for carrying out the method described above. For example, in one aspect, a wireless LC network node configured to perform this method (and other methods described herein) is provided. In another embodiment, a wireless optical communication (LC) network node in a communication network is provided. The communication network further includes one or more radio access network nodes, each radio access network node forming its own radio cell. The wireless LC network node is a processing circuit and a non-temporary machine-readable medium that, when executed by the processing circuit, establishes a wireless LC connection with the wireless device on the wireless LC network node and wirelessly. It comprises a non-temporary machine-readable medium accommodating instructions for sending and making an informational message, including an indication that the device has been connected to the wireless LC network node, to the wireless access network node.

For a better understanding of the examples of the present disclosure, and to more clearly show how the examples can be realized, the following drawings are referred to solely as illustrations below.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the beam formation in the communication network by embodiment of this disclosure. It is a schematic diagram which shows the beam formation in the communication network by embodiment of this disclosure. It is a signal diagram by embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart of the method implemented by the radio access network node according to the embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart of the method carried out by a wireless device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. It is a flowchart of the method implemented by the wireless optical communication network node according to the embodiment of this disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a radio access network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a radio access network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a schematic diagram of the wireless optical communication network node by embodiment of this disclosure. It is a schematic diagram of the wireless optical communication network node by embodiment of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the communication network connected to the host computer through the intermediate network by some embodiments of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the host computer which communicates with a user equipment through a base station, partially via a wireless connection, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. It is a figure which shows the method performed in the communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment by some embodiments of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the method performed in the communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment by some embodiments of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the method performed in the communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment by some embodiments of this disclosure. It is a figure which shows the method performed in the communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment by some embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram showing a communication network 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure shows an example of network 100 deployed indoors (including the floor at the bottom of the page and the ceiling at the top), but those skilled in the art apply the concepts disclosed herein to indoor and outdoor environments. Understand that it is possible.

The network 100 includes a radio access network node 102 and a radio device 104.

The radio access network node 102 is configured to provide wireless radio access to a radio device 104 that implements any suitable radio communication standard. For example, the wireless access network node 102 forms part of a cellular network and, for example, Pan-European Digital Mobile Telephone System (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE),. Cellular network radio standards such as Universal Mobile Communication System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, and 5G Standards called New Radio (NR), such as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). May provide radio access suitable for those produced by. Alternatively, the radio access network node 102 may form part of a radio local area network (WLAN) and, for example, may provide radio access conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard. In this latter example, the wireless access node may be referred to as an access point (AP). References herein to "radio access network nodes" include at least cellular radio access network nodes and WLAN access points. It is understood that in the embodiments shown, the radio access network node 102 is located on the ceiling, but the radio access network node 102 can be located at any location.

The wireless device 104 is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless access network node 102 and, therefore, further implements the same standards as the wireless access network node 102. For example, the wireless device 102 may be referred to as a user device (UE) or mobile station (STA) instead.

In the embodiments shown, each of the radio access network node 102 and the radio device 104 comprises a plurality of antennas or antenna elements (eg, an antenna array or similar construct) for transmitting and / or receiving radio signals. Thus, through the application of beam forming techniques, the radio access network node 102 and the radio device 104 transmit a radio signal with higher intensity and / or receive the radio signal with higher sensitivity in a particular direction. You can do both with that. For example, each weighting or phase shift of one or more may be applied to a signal provided to or received from each antenna element and thus from or to a particular direction. While the signals from other directions experience the interference that strengthens each other, the signals from other directions experience the interference that weakens each other. Those skilled in the art can understand the principle of beam forming technology well.

In the examples shown, various beams are shown. The beam used by the radio access network node 102 is labeled with reference numeral 110, and the beam used by the radio device 104 is labeled with reference numeral 112. It is understood that the beams 110, 112 can be for transmitting or receiving wireless radio signals. For example, in one embodiment, the radio access network node 102 is the transmitting device and the wireless device 104 is the receiving device, thus in this example the beam 110 is the transmitting beam and the beam 112 is the receiving beam. In another example, the radio device 104 is the transmitting device and the radio access network node 102 is the receiving device, thus in this example the beam 112 is the transmitting beam and the beam 110 is the receiving beam.

In a further example, the transmit or receive beam may be used by only one of the radio access network node 102 and the radio device 104, and the other transmit or receive radio signals are omnidirectional. Thus, one of the radio access network node 102 and the radio device 104 can transmit a radio signal using a directional beam, whereas the other of the radio access network node 102 and the radio device 104 can transmit the radio signal. , Receive radio signals without using beam formation. Similarly, one of the radio access network node 102 and the radio device 104 may transmit the radio signal without using beam forming, whereas the other of the radio access network node 102 and the radio device 104. Uses the receive beam to receive the radio signal. The following description assumes that the transmit / receive beam pair is specified for the radio access network node 102 and the radio device 104. However, it is understood that embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to the identification of transmit or receive beams for only one of the radio access network node 102 and the radio device 104.

As mentioned above, in order to benefit from the beam forming gain, the transmitting device is suitable for transmitting the beam in the direction of the receiving device with a higher gain (eg, shape and / or direction). ) Must be specified. Similarly, the receiving device (whether an access point or a wireless device) is suitable for receiving the beam with higher gain in the direction of the transmitting device (eg, shape and shape and). / Or direction) must be specified. Such devices typically use a process known as beam sweeping, for example, where the transmitting device transmits a beam in all predetermined directions by burst and / or at regular intervals. The receiving device uses all of the receiving beams of the receiving device to make measurements on the transmitted beam and reports the measurement results to the transmitting device so that the appropriate transmit and receive beam pair can be identified. Transmission and corresponding measurements are performed on all possible transmit and receive beam pairs to ensure that the best beam pair is selected. This process is time consuming and uses significant power and radio resources.

The embodiments of the present disclosure use alternative radio communication techniques to locate the receiving device with reasonable degree of accuracy (whether it is a radio access network node 102 or a radio device 104). do. Therefore, the number of transmit and / or receive beams tested as part of the beam sweeping process can be reduced to target known locations of the receiver device.

In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure use wireless optical communication (sometimes referred to as "LiFi"), thus the network 100 may include a plurality of wireless optical communication network nodes 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d (collectively, 106) is further provided.

Recent research in academia and early prototypes from industry show that visible light communication (VLC) has the potential to become a new tool for wireless communication. This also applies to common optical communications (LC) that use frequencies that do not belong to the visible light spectrum, such as infrared light. In particular, several gigabits per second (Gb / s) are expected from wireless communication systems that use optical spectra for communication purposes.

The main concept behind LC is to communicate binary data using rapidly changing light intensity levels. More specifically, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are deployed at the source to modulate the binary data to different emission light intensity levels. Deployed LEDs change the level of emitted light intensity at speeds imperceptible to the human eye. Therefore, the incorporation of LC into the lighting system does not affect the quality of the lighting. The receiving device uses, for example, an optical detector (PD) to detect changes in emitted light intensity. This technique allows the receiving device to detect the transmitted data.

Therefore, each of the wireless LC network nodes 106 comprises one or more light sources (such as LEDs) for transmitting light. Light can have wavelengths in or near the visible portion of the spectrum (eg, infrared or ultraviolet). The light is modulated using one or more data sources so that the intensity of the light varies over time by techniques that can be detected and decoded by the receiving device. The line-of-sight area covered by this light is indicated by the dashed line 107. Thus, the wireless device 104 comprises one or more optical detectors for detecting the modulated light transmitted by the wireless LC network node 106, by this technique from the wireless LC network node 106 to the wireless device 104. Communication can take place on the downlink. The wireless device 104 may further include one or more light sources (such as LEDs) and the wireless LC network node 106 may include one or more optical detectors, thus the uplink from the wireless device 104 to the LC network node 106. Communication can also be performed in.

Appendix 1 below describes how an LC channel is governed by a line-of-sight component between a transmitter (eg, LC node 106) and a receiver (eg, wireless device 104). If the line of sight no longer exists between the transmitter and the receiver, the SINR of the communication will be significantly reduced so that the connection between the transmitter and the receiver is no longer feasible. Therefore, if a connection is available between the LC transmitter and the LC receiver, the location of the LC receiver must be known and the LC receiver must be within the line of sight of the LC transmitter. In the case of FIG. 1, if the LC connection is between the wireless LC node 106 and the wireless device 104, the wireless device must be within the boundaries of the transmitted light 107. This area is referred to herein as "LC cell" 107.

The wireless LC network nodes 106 can be independent of each other and provide independent services to the wireless device in a manner similar to an independent wireless base station. For example, each wireless LC network node 106 may implement its own software protocol stack for the wireless LC network node 106 itself. Alternatively, the radio LC network node 106 may form part of a larger entity by a technique similar to the different transmit and receive points of a radio base station. For example, each wireless LC network node 106 may implement one or more lower layers of the protocol stack, and an independent network entity implements a higher layer for multiple wireless LC network nodes 106.

It should also be noted that the radio LC node 106 is communicably coupled to the radio access network node 102 via the backhaul connection 108. The backhaul connection 108 is typically a wired connection, such as an Ethernet connection (eg, power over Ethernet), or other packet data connection, but in certain embodiments, the connection 108 is an alternative wireless. possible.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the radio access network node 102 acquires information that identifies the target LC cell 107 or the radio LC network node 106 to which the radio device 104 is connected. Based on that information, the radio access network node 102 selects a subset of beams 110 that the radio access network node 102 can generate, and a transmit or receive beam to communicate with the radio device 104. The beam sweeping process can be initiated using only that subset of the beam to select. Similarly, the radio device 104 connects to the LC cell 107 or the radio LC network node 106 and can be generated by the radio device 104 based on the LC cell or radio LC network node 106 as a transmit or receive beam. A beam sweeping step is performed using the beam subset to identify the subset of and select the transmit or receive beam to communicate with the radio access network node 102.

FIG. 1b shows the network 100 described above after selection of a subset of transmit or receive beams has been made. In this example, the wireless device 104 establishes a connection with the wireless LC node 106c. Information identifying the wireless LC network node 106c or LC cell 107 formed by the wireless LC network node 106c or LC cell 107 is wirelessly accessible (eg, via a backhaul connection 108 or from communication by the wireless device 104 itself). Provided to the network node 102, as a result, the radio access network node identifies the beam 114 (a subset of the beam 110) that is exactly targeted at cell 107. Similarly, the radio device 104 identifies a beam 116 (a subset of the beam 112) targeting the radio access network node 102 from the identified cell 107. Therefore, a beam sweeping process using only these subsets of beams 114, 116 requires much less time and resources to complete.

FIG. 2 shows a radio frequency network node or access point (eg, wireless access network node 102 described above), a wireless device or STA (eg, wireless device 104 described above), and a wireless optical communication network node or access point (eg, said wireless device 104). FIG. 6 is a signal diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure showing signaling between the wireless LC nodes 106) described above.

200. The wireless device 104 connects to the wireless LC network node 106. For the reasons described above, and for the reasons described below in Appendix 1, the connection with the wireless LC network node requires a line of sight between the wireless device 104 and the wireless LC network node 106.

Connections to wireless LC network nodes can be established using any suitable mechanism and / or according to any suitable standard that may be developed for LC communication in the future. For example, the connection may be established using random access in which the wireless device 104 sends an identification code to the LC network node.

202. The wireless access network node acquires information for identifying the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected in step 200, or the LC cell formed by the wireless LC network node. For example, a wireless LC network node may send a message (eg, via the backhaul link 108) to the wireless access network node, including an indication that the wireless device has been connected to the wireless LC network node. The marking may include an identifier for the wireless device. The message may further include marking of the identification information of the wireless LC network node, or alternatively, the identification information of the wireless LC network node may be inferred from the source of the message. Alternatively, the wireless device itself may send a message (eg, over an established wireless connection) to the wireless access network node, including an indication that the wireless device has been connected to the wireless LC network node. The marking may include an identifier for a wireless LC network node or LC cell. The message may further include markings of the radio device identification information, or alternative, the radio device identification information may be inferred from the source of the message. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternative methods of informing radio access network nodes of wireless device connections are possible. For example, a further node coupled to the radio LC network node 106 (not shown) collates information about which radio device is connected to which radio LC network node and informs the radio access network node. Can be provided.

204a. The radio access network node is a transmit or receive beam of one or more of the transmit or receive beams available to the radio access network node, based on the radio LC network node or LC cell identified in step 202. Select a subset. For example, a subset of transmit or receive beams can send a message to or from a geographic area that contains a geographic area of an LC cell. It can be directed to target geographic areas, including the geographic area of LC cells.

The radio access network node may further use the knowledge information of the geographical location of the LC cell with respect to the radio access network node. For example, a radio access network node uses the location of the LC cell in the vicinity of the radio access network node and / or each of the beams used to target the LC cell in the vicinity of the radio access network node. It can be pre-programmed using a subset. Alternatively, the radio access network node may acquire its knowledge information over time through the interaction of the radio access network node with the radio device connected to the LC cell in the vicinity of the radio access network node. For example, a radio access network node performs a conventional beam sweeping process (ie, using all available beams) to identify the optimal beam for the radio device connected to a particular LC cell. Can be done. The radio access network node may remember the association between the particular LC cell and the optimal beam identified through conventional methods. The identified beam can be added, for example, to a subset of the beam for that particular LC cell.

The latter embodiment of selecting a subset of beams using historical data can be particularly useful when there is no line of sight between the radio access network node and the radio device. Thus, for example, if there is no line of sight between the radio access network node and the radio device, historical data may be used to select a subset of transmit or receive beams.

One of skill in the art recognizes several methods for determining if there is a line of sight between two wireless devices. Various papers have resolved this topic and are not described in more detail herein. For example, such a method may rely on the detection of the polarization of the radio transmission between the devices to determine whether the radio transmission is reflected by the surface between the devices. Alternatively, the article by Benedetto et al. ( "Dynamic LOS / NLOS Statistical Discrimination of Wireless Mobile Channels", 2007 IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference), and an article by Borras et al., ( "Decision Theoretic Framework for NLOS Identification", 1998 IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference ) Takes a statistical approach. The present disclosure is not limited to the above points.

204b. The wireless device is a subset of the transmit or receive beams of one or more transmit or receive beams available for the wireless device, based on the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected in step 200. Select. For example, a subset of transmit or receive beams can be transmitted from the identified radio LC network node's coverage area (eg, LC cell) to the radio access network node or from the radio access network node. It may correspond to a received beam in the coverage area of the identified wireless LC network node directed to receive.

The wireless device may further acquire and use knowledge information about the geographic location of the radio access network node associated with the LC cell. For example, such knowledge information includes approach angle information for one or more transmissions received from a radio access network node, location information received from a radio LC network node forming an identified LC cell, and radio. Includes location information received from the access network node, or may be based on one or more of these. Thus, a radio LC network node and / or a radio access network node (or any other node in network 100) may provide information implicitly or explicitly in transmission to a radio device.

The radio device may further acquire and use knowledge information about the direction of the radio device to select a subset of transmit or receive beams. For example, a wireless device may include one or more sensors (eg, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, etc.) from which the wireless device may orient the wireless device with respect to a given reference frame of reference. can. The radio device is assumed to be more mobile than the radio access network node, so the orientation of the radio device changes and affects the beam useful for targeting the radio access network node from any given location. Tends to give. Therefore, the orientation of the radio device can also be taken into account when selecting a subset of transmit or receive beams.

206. Radio access network nodes and radio devices perform a beam sweeping process using only selected subsets of transmit or receive beams. As mentioned above, this step involves the transmitting device (whether a radio access network node or a radio device) in all of the beams of the subset, eg, by burst and / or at regular intervals. May involve transmitting a beam. The receiving device uses all of the received beams in the subset to make measurements on the transmitted beam and reports the measurement results to the transmitting device so that the appropriate transmitted and received beam pair can be identified. To ensure that the best beam pair is selected, transmission and corresponding measurements can be performed on all possible transmit and receive beam pairs in the selected subset. However, since only subsets of the transmit and receive beams are swept, this process requires significantly less time and can be assumed to be less complex.

208a and 208b. Radio access network nodes and radio devices select transmit and receive beam pairs based on the measurements made in step 206. For example, the best or best signal scale, eg, transmit and receive beam pairs related to received signal strength or quality, may be selected.

210. Radio access network nodes and radio devices communicate with each other using selected transmit and receive beam pairs.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the method implemented by the radio access network node according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The method may partially address the signaling of radio access network nodes or access points described so far, eg, with reference to FIG. The method may be performed by the radio access network node 102 described so far with reference to FIG.

In step 300, the wireless network node acquires information that identifies the target wireless LC network node with which the wireless device has established a connection, or an LC cell formed by the wireless LC network node. For example, the radio LC network node may send a message (eg, via the backhaul link 108) to the radio access network node containing an indication that the radio device has been connected to the radio LC network node. The marking may include an identifier for the wireless device. The message may further include marking of the identification information of the wireless LC network node, or alternatively, the identification information of the wireless LC network node may be inferred from the source of the message. Alternatively, the wireless device itself may send a message (eg, over an established wireless connection) to the wireless access network node, including an indication that the wireless device has been connected to the wireless LC network node. The marking may include an identifier for a wireless LC network node or an LC cell formed by a wireless LC network node. The message may further include markings of the radio device identification information, or alternative, the radio device identification information may be inferred from the source of the message. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternative methods of informing radio access network nodes of wireless device connections are possible. For example, a further node (not shown) coupled to the radio LC network node 106 may collate information about which radio device was connected to which LC cell and provide information to the radio access network node.

The information is periodically in response to a request from the radio access network node (eg, in response to a request message sent by the radio access network node to the radio device and / or the radio LC network node) or by radio LC. Can be obtained when establishing a connection with a network node.

In step 302, the radio access network node determines if there is a line of sight between the radio access network node and the radio device. Various methods for determining whether or not there is a line of sight between two wireless devices have been described so far.

The method then proceeds to step 304, where the radio access network node is based on the identified radio LC network node from a transmit or receive beam that can be used by the radio access network node. Select a subset of one or more transmit or receive beams. If a line of sight is present, this step involves sub-step 306, in which the radio access network node corresponds to the geographic coverage area of the LC cell, based on the identified radio LC network node. Select one or more subsets of transmit or receive beams from the transmit or receive beams available to the radio access network node. For example, a subset of transmit or receive beams is to send a message to a geographic area that contains the geographic area of an LC cell, or to receive a message from a geographic area that contains a geographic area of an LC cell. Can be directed to target a geographic area, including the geographic area of an LC cell.

The radio access network node may further use the knowledge information of the geographical location of the LC cell with respect to the radio access network node when selecting a subset of transmit or receive beams. For example, a radio access network node uses the location of the LC cell in the vicinity of the radio access network node and / or each subset of the beam used to target the LC cell in the vicinity of the radio access network node. Can be pre-programmed.

If there is no line of sight, step 304 involves substep 308, in which the radio access network node uses historical data to select a subset of transmit or receive beams. For example, over time, a radio access network node may perform multiple conventional beam sweeping steps (ie, all available) to identify the optimal beam for a radio device connected to a particular radio LC network node. Can be done (using a beam). The radio access network node may remember the association between a particular radio LC network node and the optimal beam identified through conventional methods. The identified beam may be added to a subset of the beam for that particular wireless LC network node.

The beam can be generated using analog, hybrid, or digital technology, so the selection of a subset of the beam in step 304 is a digital code for multiple analog beamformers, multiple analog couplers, beamformers. It may include a selection of one or more beams from the book and the digital codebook of the combiner.

In step 310, the radio access network node initiates a beam sweeping process using a subset of the transmit or receive beams selected in step 304. As mentioned above, this step involves the transmitting device (whether a radio access network node or a radio device) in all of the beams of the subset, eg, by burst and / or at regular intervals. May involve transmitting a beam. The receiving device uses all of the received beams in the subset to make measurements on those beams and reports the measurement results to the transmitting device so that the appropriate transmit and receive beam pair can be identified. Transmission and corresponding measurements can be performed on all possible transmit and receive beam pairs in the selected subset to ensure that the optimal beam pair is selected.

In step 312, the radio access network node selects a transmit beam or a receive beam based on the measurements made in step 310. For example, the best or best signal scale, eg, transmit or receive beam related to received signal strength or quality, may be selected.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method implemented by a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method may partially address the signaling of the wireless device described so far, eg, with reference to FIG. The method may be performed by the wireless device 104 described so far with reference to FIG.

In step 400, the wireless device connects to the wireless LC network node 106. For the reasons described above, and for the reasons described below in Appendix 1, the connection with the wireless LC network node requires a line of sight between the wireless device 104 and the wireless LC network node 106.

Connections to wireless LC network nodes can be established using any suitable mechanism and / or according to any suitable standard that may be developed for LC communication in the future. For example, the connection may be established using random access in which the wireless device 104 sends an identification code to the wireless LC network node.

In step 402, the wireless device acquires knowledge information about the direction of the wireless device. For example, a wireless device may include one or more sensors (such as one or more of a compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, etc.), from which the wireless device is a wireless device to a defined reference frame of reference. The direction can be specified.

In step 404, the wireless device acquires knowledge information that identifies the location of the wireless access network node with respect to the wireless LC network node forming the LC cell of the wireless LC network node. For example, such knowledge information includes approach angle information for one or more transmissions received from a radio access network node, location information received from a radio LC network node forming an LC cell, and a radio access network node. Includes location information received from, or may be based on one or more of these. Thus, a radio LC network node and / or a radio access network node (or any other node in network 100) may provide information implicitly or explicitly in transmission to a radio device.

In step 406, the wireless device receives one or more of the transmit or receive beams available for the wireless device, based on the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected in step 400. Select a subset of the beam. For example, a subset of transmit or receive beams can be transmitted from the identified radio LC network node's coverage area (eg, LC cell) to the radio access network node or from the radio access network node. It may correspond to a received beam in the coverage area of the identified wireless LC network node directed to receive.

The selection of one or more transmit or receive beam subsets is for the direction of the radio device identified in step 402, and for the radio device identified in step 404 or for the radio access network node to the radio LC network node. It may be further based on one or more of the positions.

In step 408, the wireless device performs a beam sweeping step using only a selected subset of transmit or receive beams. As mentioned above, this step involves the transmitting device (whether a radio access network node or a radio device) in all of the beams of the subset, eg, by burst and / or at regular intervals. May involve transmitting a beam. The receiving device uses all of the received beams in the subset to make measurements on the transmitted beam and reports the measurement results to the transmitting device so that the appropriate transmitted and received beam pair can be identified. To ensure that the best beam pair is selected, transmission and corresponding measurements can be performed on all possible transmit and receive beam pairs in the selected subset.

In step 410, the wireless device selects a transmit beam or a receive beam based on the measurements made in step 408. For example, the best or best signal scale, eg, transmit or receive beam related to received signal strength or quality, may be selected.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method implemented by the wireless LC network node according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The method may partially address the signaling of the wireless LC network node described so far, eg, with reference to FIG. The method may be implemented by the wireless LC network node 106 described so far with reference to FIG.

In step 500, the wireless LC network node establishes a connection with the wireless device.

The connection between the wireless device and the wireless LC network node can be established using any suitable mechanism and / or according to any suitable standard that may be developed for LC communication in the future. For example, the connection can be established using random access in the form of a wireless device transmitting an identification code to a wireless LC network node.

In step 502, the radio LC network node sends a message (eg, via the backhaul link 108) to the radio access network node containing an indication that the radio device is connected to it. The marking may include an identifier for the wireless device. The message may further include marking of the identification information of the wireless LC network node, or alternatively, the identification information of the wireless LC network node may be inferred from the source of the message. Alternatively, this information may be transmitted indirectly to the radio access network node. For example, a further node coupled to a radio LC network node (not shown) collates information about which radio device is connected to which radio LC network node and provides information to the radio access network node. obtain.

The message periodically responds to a request from the radio access network node (eg, in response to a request message sent by the radio access network node to the radio LC network node) or with the radio device in step 500. Can be sent when a connection is established.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the radio access network node 600 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The radio access network node 600 is to implement the signaling of the radio access network node 102 described so far with reference to FIG. 2 and / or the method described so far with reference to FIG. Can be set to. As described above, in one embodiment, the radio access network node 600 is a WLAN access point.

The wireless access network node 600 includes a processing circuit 602 (eg, one or more processors, a digital signal processor, a general purpose processing unit, etc.), a machine-readable medium 604 (eg, a memory, eg, a read-only memory (ROM), random access). A memory, cache memory, flash memory device, optical storage device, etc.), and one or more interfaces 606. One or more interfaces 606 may include multiple antenna elements that can be configured to provide multiple transmit or receive beams. The interface 606 may further comprise an interface for backhaul communication, such as a wireless, wired (eg, power over Ethernet), or optical interface. Although components that are joined in series together are shown, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the components can be joined together (eg, via a system bus or something of that kind) by any suitable method. to understand.

The radio access network node 600 can operate in a communication network comprising one or more radio optical communication (LC) network nodes. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the computer readable medium 604 acquires, when executed by the processing circuit 602, information to the node 600 to identify the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected. A transmit or receive beam to select multiple transmit or receive beam subsets and to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with a radio device based on the identified wireless LC network node. It remembers the instructions to initiate and perform the beam sweeping process using a subset of the beam.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the node 600 may include a power circuit (not shown). The power circuit comprises or may be coupled to a power management circuit and is configured to power the components of node 600 to perform the functions described herein. .. The power circuit may receive power from the power source. The power supply and / or power circuit may be configured to power the various components of the node 600 in a form suitable for each component (eg, at the voltage and current levels required for each of the components). .. The power supply may be contained in the power circuit and / or the node 600, or may be outside the power circuit and / or the node 600. For example, the node 600 may be connectable to an external power source (eg, a power outlet) via an input circuit or interface, such as an electrical cable, and as a result, the external power source powers the power circuit. As a further example, the power supply may include a power supply in the form of a battery or battery pack connected to or integrated with a power circuit. Batteries may provide reserve power in the event of an external power source failure. Other types of power sources, such as solar cell devices, may also be used.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the radio access network node 700 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The radio access network node 700 is to implement the signaling of the radio access network node 102 described so far with reference to FIG. 2 and / or the method described so far with reference to FIG. Can be set. As described above, in one embodiment, the wireless access network node 700 is a WLAN access point.

The radio access network node 700 includes an acquisition unit 702, a selection unit 704, and a beam sweep unit 706. The radio access network node may further include one or more interfaces (not shown). One or more interfaces 706 may include multiple antenna elements that can be configured to provide multiple transmit or receive beams. The interface 706 may further comprise an interface for backhaul communication, such as a wireless, wired (eg, power over Ethernet) or optical interface.

The radio access network node 700 can operate in a communication network comprising one or more radio optical communication (LC) network nodes. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 702 is configured to acquire information that identifies the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected. The selection unit 704 is configured to select a subset of transmit or receive beams based on the identified wireless LC network node. The beam sweeping unit 706 is configured to initiate a beam sweeping process using a subset of transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with the wireless device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the wireless device 800 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless device 800 may be configured to implement the signaling of the wireless device 104 described so far with reference to FIG. 2 and / or the method described so far with reference to FIG.

The wireless device 800 includes a processing circuit 802 (eg, one or more processors, a digital signal processor, a general purpose processing unit, etc.), a machine-readable medium 804 (eg, a memory, eg, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory, etc.). It comprises a cache memory, a flash memory device, an optical storage device, etc.) and one or more interfaces 806. One or more interfaces 806 may include multiple antenna elements that can be configured to provide multiple transmit or receive beams. Although the components are shown coupled in series together, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the components can be coupled together (eg, via a system bus or something of that kind) by any suitable technique. to understand.

The wireless device 800 can operate in a communication network including one or more wireless optical communication (LC) network nodes. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the computer readable medium 804 is executed by the processing circuit 802, the wireless device 800 is connected to the wireless LC network node, and the wireless LC network to which the wireless device is connected is connected. A subset of transmit or receive beams to select multiple transmit or receive beam subsets based on a node and to select transmit or receive beams for communication with wireless access network nodes. Remembers the instructions to perform and to perform the beam sweeping process using.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the wireless device 800 may include a power circuit (not shown). The power circuit comprises or may be coupled to the power management circuit and is configured to power the components of the wireless device 800 to perform the functions described herein. There is. The power circuit may receive power from the power source. The power supply and / or power circuit is configured to power the various components of the wireless device 800 in a form suitable for each component (eg, at the voltage and current levels required for each component). obtain. The power supply may be included in the power circuit and / or the wireless device 800, or may be outside the power circuit and / or the wireless device 800. For example, the wireless device 800 may be connectable to an external power source (eg, a power outlet) via an input circuit or interface, such as an electrical cable, and as a result, the external power source powers the power circuit. As a further example, the power supply may include a power supply in the form of a battery or battery pack connected to or integrated with a power circuit. Batteries may provide reserve power in the event of an external power source failure. Other types of power sources, such as solar cell devices, may also be used.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the wireless device 900 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless device 900 may be configured to implement the signaling of the wireless device 104 described so far with reference to FIG. 2 and / or the method described so far with reference to FIG. ..

The wireless device 900 includes a connection unit 902, a selection unit 904, and a beam sweep unit 906. The wireless device may further include one or more interfaces (not shown). One or more interfaces 906 may include multiple antenna elements that can be configured to provide multiple transmit or receive beams.

The wireless device 900 can operate in a communication network including one or more wireless optical communication (LC) network nodes. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection unit 902 is configured to connect to a wireless LC network node. The selection unit 904 is configured to select a subset of transmit or receive beams based on the target radio LC network node to which the radio device is connected. The beam sweeping unit 906 is configured to perform a beam sweeping process using a subset of transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with a radio access network node. There is.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the wireless optical communication network node 1000 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The radio access network node 1000 implements the signaling of the wireless optical communication network node 106 described so far with reference to FIG. 2 and / or the method described so far with reference to FIG. Can be set as.

The wireless optical communication access network node 1000 includes a processing circuit 1002 (eg, one or more processors, a digital signal processor, a general-purpose processing unit, etc.), a machine-readable medium 1004 (eg, a memory, eg, a read-only memory (ROM)). Random access memory, cache memory, flash memory device, optical storage device, etc.), and one or more interfaces 1006. One or more interfaces 1006 may include one or more light sources (eg, LEDs) whose outputs may be modulated using a data source to allow transmission of radio data over the optical medium. .. Interface 1006 may further comprise an interface for backhaul communication, such as a wireless, wired (eg, power over Ethernet), or optical interface. Although the components are shown coupled in series together, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the components can be coupled together (eg, via a system bus or something of that kind) by any suitable method. to understand.

The radio LC network node 1000 can operate in a communication network further comprising one or more radio access network nodes, each of which forms a radio cell.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the computer readable medium 1004 establishes a wireless LC connection with a wireless device at a node 1000 when executed by the processing circuit 1002, and the wireless device is connected to a wireless LC network node. It stores an instruction to send an informational message containing an indication to a radio access network node.

In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the node 1000 may include a power circuit (not shown). The power circuit comprises or may be coupled to a power management circuit and is configured to power the components of node 1000 to perform the functions described herein. .. The power circuit may receive power from the power source. The power supply and / or power circuit may be configured to power the various components of node 1000 in a form suitable for each component (eg, at the voltage and current levels required for each component). .. The power supply may be contained in the power circuit and / or the node 1000, or may be outside the power circuit and / or the node 1000. For example, the node 1000 may be connectable to an external power source (eg, a power outlet) via an input circuit or interface, such as an electrical cable, so that the external power source powers the power circuit. As a further example, the power supply may include a power supply in the form of a battery or battery pack connected to or integrated with a power circuit. Batteries may provide reserve power in the event of an external power source failure. Other types of power sources, such as solar cell devices, may also be used.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the wireless optical communication network node 1100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless optical communication network node 1100 implements the signaling of the wireless optical communication network node 106 described so far with reference to FIG. 2 and / or the method described so far with reference to FIG. Can be set to.

The wireless optical communication network node 1100 includes a connection unit 1102 and a transmission unit 1104. The wireless optical communication network node may further include one or more interfaces (not shown). One or more interfaces 1106 may include one or more light sources (eg, LEDs) whose output may be modulated using a data source to allow transmission of radio data over the optical medium. .. Interface 1006 may further comprise an interface for backhaul communication, such as a wireless, wired (eg, power over Ethernet), or optical interface.

The radio LC network node 1100 can operate in a communication network further comprising one or more radio access network nodes, each of which forms a radio cell.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection unit 1102 is set to establish a wireless LC connection with a wireless device. The transmission unit 1104 is configured to transmit an informational message including an indication that the wireless device has been connected to the wireless LC network node to the wireless access network node.

The term "unit" may have conventional meaning in the field of electronic devices, electrical devices, and / or electronic devices, eg, electrical circuits and / or electronic circuits, devices, modules, processors, memory, logical solid states. And / or discrete devices may include computer programs or instructions for performing their respective tasks, processes, operations, outputs, and / or display functions, such as those described herein.

Referring to FIG. 12, in one embodiment, the communication system includes a communication network 1210, such as a 3GPP type cellular network, comprising an access network 1211 such as a radio access network and a core network 1214. The access network 1211 comprises a plurality of base stations 1212a, 1212b, 1212c, each defining a corresponding coverage area 1213a, 1213b, 1213c, eg, NB, eNB, gNB, or other type of radio access point. Each base station 1212a, 1212b, 1212c can be connected to the core network 1214 via a wired or wireless connection 1215. The first UE 1291 located in the coverage area 1213c is set to wirelessly connect to the corresponding base station 1212c or to be paged by the corresponding base station 1212c. The second UE 1292 in the coverage area 1213a can be wirelessly connected to the corresponding base station 1212a. In this example, multiple UEs 1291, 1292 are shown, but the disclosed embodiments are situations where one UE is in the coverage area or one UE connects to the corresponding base station 1212. It is also applicable to.

The communication network 1210 itself is connected to the host computer 1230, which embodies in the hardware and / or software of a stand-alone server, cloud-mounted server, or distributed server, or as a processing resource in a server farm. Can be done. The host computer 1230 may be in the possession or control of the service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 1221 and 1222 between the communication network 1210 and the host computer 1230 may extend directly from the core network 1214 to the host computer 1230 or may extend via an optional intermediate network 1220. The intermediate network 1220 can be one or more of a public network, a private network, or a hosted network, and the intermediate network 1220, if present, can be a backbone network or the Internet. In particular, the intermediate network 1220 may include two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of FIG. 12 as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs 1291, 1292 and the host computer 1230. Connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 1250. The host computer 1230 and the connected UEs 1291, 1292 use, as intermediates, an access network 1211, a core network 1214, any intermediate network 1220, and possible additional infrastructure (not shown). It is configured to communicate data and / or signaling over the OTT connection 1250. The OTT connection 1250 may be transparent in the sense that the communication device involved through which the OTT connection 1250 passes does not recognize the routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, when data from the host computer 1230 is transferred (eg, handed over) to the connected UE 1291, the base station 1212 is not informed about the past routing of incoming downlink communication. Or it may be something that does not need to be informed. Similarly, base station 1212 does not need to be aware of future routing of outward uplink communication originating from UE 1291 towards host computer 1230.

An exemplary embodiment of the UE, base station, and host computer embodiments described in the paragraphs so far is described below with reference to FIG. In communication system 1300, the host computer 1310 comprises hardware 1315 including a communication interface 1316 configured to establish and maintain a wired or wireless connection to the interface of different communication devices of communication system 1300. The host computer 1310 further comprises a processing circuit 1318 that may have storage and / or processing power. In particular, the processing circuit 1318 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 1310 further comprises software 1311 stored in the host computer 1310 or accessible by the host computer 1310 and run by the processing circuit 1318. Software 1311 includes host application 1312. The host application 1312 may be operational to serve remote users such as the UE 1330 connecting via an OTT connection 1350 terminating between the UE 1330 and the host computer 1310. In servicing a remote user, the host application 1312 may provide user data transmitted using the OTT connection 1350.

The communication system 1300 further includes a base station 1320 provided in the communication system and equipped with hardware 1325 that allows the base station 1320 to communicate with the host computer 1310 and the UE 1330. Hardware 1325 is a communication interface 1326 for establishing and maintaining wired or wireless connections with interfaces of different communication devices of communication system 1300, and at least a coverage area served by base station 1320 (FIG. It may include a radio interface 1327 for establishing and maintaining a radio connection 1370 with a UE 1330 located at (not shown in 13.). The communication interface 1326 may be configured to facilitate the connection 1360 to the host computer 1310. The connection 1360 can be direct, or the connection 1360 passes through the core network of the communication system (not shown in FIG. 13) and / or through one or more intermediate networks outside the communication system. obtain. In the embodiments shown, the hardware 1325 of the base station 1320 is a programmable processor adapted to execute instructions, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, or a combination thereof (illustrated). It further comprises a processing circuit 1328 that may include (not). Base station 1320 further includes software 1321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

Communication system 1300 further includes UE 1330 as described above. The hardware 1335 of the UE 1330 may include a radio interface 1337 configured to establish and maintain a radio connection 1370 with a base station serving the coverage area in which the UE 1330 is currently located. The hardware 1335 of the UE 1330 further includes a processing circuit 1338, which is one or more programmable processors adapted to execute instructions, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or these. Combinations (not shown) may be provided. The UE 1330 further comprises software 1331 stored in the UE 1330 or accessible by the UE 1330 and run by the processing circuit 1338. Software 1331 includes client application 1332. The client application 1332 may be operational to serve human or non-human users via the UE 1330 with the support of the host computer 1310. In the host computer 1310, the running host application 1312 may communicate with the running client application 1332 via an OTT connection 1350 terminated by the UE 1330 and the host computer 1310. In providing services to the user, the client application 1332 may receive the request data from the host application 1312 and provide the user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 1350 may carry both request data and user data. The client application 1332 may interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

The host computer 1310, the base station 1320, and the UE 1330 shown in FIG. 13 are the same as or the same as the host computer 1230, one of the base stations 1212a, 1212b, 1212c, and one of the UE 1291, 1292 of FIG. 12, respectively. Note that it can be. This can be, for example, the internal behavior of these entities as shown in FIG. 13 and can be independent, and the peripheral network topology can be that of FIG.

In FIG. 13, the OTT connection 1350 is between the host computer 1310 and the UE 1330 via base station 1320 without any explicit description of any intermediate devices and the exact routing of messages through these devices. It is drawn abstractly to show the communication of. The network infrastructure may determine the routing, and the network infrastructure may be configured to hide the routing from the UE 1330 and / or from the service provider operating the host computer 1310. While the OTT connection 1350 is in effect, the network infrastructure may make further decisions, which will cause the network infrastructure to dynamically change routing (eg, based on load balancing considerations or network reconfiguration).

The wireless connection 1370 between the UE 1330 and the base station 1320 follows the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of the OTT service provided to the UE 1330 using the OTT connection 1350 where the wireless connection 1370 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve latency and power consumption, thus providing benefits such as shorter user latency and longer battery life.

The measurement step may be provided for the purpose of monitoring the data rate, latency, and other factors of interest that one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1350 between the host computer 1310 and the UE 1330 in response to variations in measurement results. The measurement process and / or network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1350 may be implemented by software 1311 and hardware 1315 of the host computer 1310, and / or by software 1331 and hardware 1335 of the UE 1330. In embodiments, a sensor (not shown) may be deployed on a communication device through which the OTT connection 1350 passes, or may be associated with a communication device through which the OTT connection 1350 passes, and the sensor is monitored as exemplified above. Involved in the measurement process by supplying a quantity value, or by supplying a value that can be estimated or calculated by software 1311, 1331 from that value of another physical quantity. obtain. Reconfiguration of the OTT connection 1350 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc., reconfiguration does not need to affect base station 1320, and reconfiguration is unknown or perceived by base station 1320. It can be impossible. Such processes and functions are known in the art and can be practiced. In certain embodiments, the measurement results may be accompanied by proprietary UE signaling that facilitates measurements of the host computer 1310 such as throughput, propagation time, latency and the like. The measurement is software 1311 and in that the measurements result in the transmission of messages such as empty or "dummy" messages using the OTT connection 1350 while the software 1311 and 1331 monitor propagation time, errors, etc. It can be carried out at 1331.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only references to the drawings for FIG. 14 are included in this section. In step 1410, the host computer provides user data. In sub-step 1411 (which may be optional) of step 1410, the host computer provides user data by running the host application. In step 1420, the host computer initiates transmission to propagate user data to the UE. In step 1430 (which may be optional), the base station transmits the user data transmitted in the transmission initiated by the host computer to the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout the present disclosure. In step 1440 (which may be more optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only references to the drawings for FIG. 15 are included in this section. In step 1510 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown), the host computer provides user data by running the host application. In step 1520, the host computer initiates transmission to propagate user data to the UE. Transmission may pass through the base station according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1530 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data transmitted in the transmission.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only references to the drawings for FIG. 16 are included in this section. In step 1610 (which may be optional), the UE receives the input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 1620, the UE provides user data. In substep 1621 (which may be optional) of step 1620, the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In substep 1611 (which may be optional) of step 1610, the UE executes a client application that provides user data in response to received input data provided by the host computer. In providing user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the particular method in which the user data is provided, the UE initiates transmission of the user data to the host computer in substep 1630 (which may be optional). In step 1640 of the method, the host computer receives user data transmitted from the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. For the sake of brevity of the present disclosure, only references to the drawings for FIG. 17 are included in this section. In step 1710 (which may be optional), the base station receives user data from the UE according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1720 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 1730 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data transmitted in the transmission initiated by the base station.

The embodiments described above are not intended to limit the concepts disclosed herein, and one of ordinary skill in the art will design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the following description of the attachment. It should be noted to show that it can be done. The expression "to prepare (include, have, have)" does not deny the existence of elements and steps other than the elements and steps listed in the description, and does not deny the existence of the English "a (indefinite article)" or "an (an). The expression corresponding to "indefinite article)" does not exclude a plurality, and one processor or another unit may satisfy the functions of some units described in the description. Any reference code in the description may not be construed to limit the scope of the description.

Appendix A
Recent research in the point-to-point optical communication academia, and early prototypes from industry, show that visible light communication (VLC) may be a new tool for indoor wireless communication. This also applies to common optical communications (LC) that use frequencies that do not belong to the visible light spectrum, such as infrared light. In particular, several gigabits per second (Gb / s) are expected from wireless communication systems that use optical spectra for communication purposes.

The main concept behind LC is to communicate binary data using rapidly changing light intensity levels. More specifically, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are deployed by the source to modulate the binary data to different emission light intensity levels. Deployed LEDs change the level of emitted light intensity at speeds imperceptible to the human eye. Therefore, the incorporation of LC into the lighting system does not affect the quality of the lighting. The receiving device uses, for example, an optical detector (PD) to detect changes in the emitted light intensity, and this technique allows the receiving device to detect the transmitted binary data. As implied so far, the use of intensity modulation (IM) with direct detection (DD) is used due to the nature of the optical channel (eg, the paper by Kahn and Barry, "Wireless". See Infrared Communications, Proceedings of the IEEE, vol 85, pp. 265-298). This means that the transmitted / received signal is real and must be strictly positive. This imposes certain restrictions on the communication technology used in both single-carrier and multi-carrier transmissions. However, there is no multipath fading due to the physical area of the PD, which is relatively large relative to the carrier wavelength. Therefore, LC may use less complex signal processing techniques.

との間の時間領域における光チャンネルは、

と表され、ここで、

は見通し線（ＬｏＳ）成分を表し、

は拡散成分を表す。学界の文献によると、ＬｏＳ成分

は直流（ＤＣ）成分とも呼ばれる。拡散成分

、周辺の表面からの複数の光反射のアグリゲート結果である。（１）において、

は、

と表されるＬＯＳ光ゲインを表し、ここで、Ａは各ＰＤの面積を表し、ｋは方向性オーダーを表すランベルトファクターである。ランベルトファクターｋは、

と表され、ここで、

は送信機半角である。更に、ｄはｉ番目のＰＤとｊ番目のＬＥＤとの間の距離である。角度φ_ｉ，ｊおよびψ_ｉ，ｊは、それぞれ、送信機平面に対するｉ番目のＰＤへのｊ番目のＬＥＤの出射角、および、ｉ番目のＰＤの受信部平面の正規直交ベクトルに対するｊ番目のＬＥＤからのｉ番目のＰＤにおける光の入射角を表す。各ＰＤの視野（ＦＯＶ）半角は、

と表記される。ＬＥＤおよびＰＤが三次元空間に位置している場合に、ＬＥＤおよびＰＤの空間位置は、ＬＥＤおよびＰＤのデカルト座標により記述され得る。したがって、角度φ_ｉ，ｊおよびψ_ｉ，ｊは、

および、

と演算され得る。 Assuming a point-to-point LC system with N _t transmit LEDs and N _r receive PDs,

The optical channels in the time domain between and

It is expressed as, here,

Represents the line-of-sight (LoS) component

Represents a diffusion component. According to academic literature, the LoS component

Is also called a direct current (DC) component. Diffusion component

, Is the result of the aggregation of multiple light reflections from the surrounding surface. In (1)

teeth,

Represents the LOS optical gain represented by, where A represents the area of each PD and k is the Lambert factor representing the directional order. Lambert factor k is

It is expressed as, here,

Is a half-width transmitter. Further, d is the distance between the i-th PD and the j-th LED. The angles φ _{i, j} and ψ _{i, j} are the emission angles of the j-th LED to the i-th PD with respect to the transmitter plane and the j-th to the orthonormal vector of the receiver plane of the i-th PD, respectively. It represents the incident angle of light in the i-th PD from the LED. The field of view (FOV) half-width of each PD is

It is written as. When the LEDs and PDs are located in three-dimensional space, the spatial positions of the LEDs and PDs can be described by the Cartesian coordinates of the LEDs and PDs. Therefore, the angles φ _{i, j} and ψ _{i, j} are

and,

Can be calculated as.

は、それぞれ、

のデカルト座標を表す３×１ベクトルである。ｊ番目のＬＥＤ（ｊ＝１，…，Ｎ_ｔ）の方向は、ＬＥＤの平面に垂直な３×１正規直交ベクトル

により表される。同様に、ｉ番目のＰＤの平面に垂直な正規直交ベクトル

は、ｉ番目のＰＤの方向を表す。最後に、ｉ番目のＰＤとｊ番目のＬＥＤとの間の距離ｄ_ｉ，ｊは、

と演算され得る。 In (5) and (4), dot (x, y) = x ^T y represents the inner product between the vectors x and y. In addition,

, Each

It is a 3 × 1 vector representing the Cartesian coordinates of. The direction of the jth LED (j ₌ 1, ..., Nt) is a 3 × 1 orthonormal vector perpendicular to the plane of the LED.

Represented by. Similarly, an orthonormal vector perpendicular to the plane of the i-th PD

Represents the direction of the i-th PD. Finally, the distance di _{, j} between the i-th PD and the j-th LED is

Can be calculated as.

は無視され得る。したがって、

と仮定することが非常に合理的である。 In a typical indoor LC scenario, most of the optical signal energy is contained in the LOS component. More specifically, the LOS component contains 95% of the energy collected by the PD. Therefore, based on experimental measurements and academic studies, the diffusion component

Can be ignored. therefore,

It is very reasonable to assume that.

と表される（近似される）。 Even when the optical bandwidth is wide, LC communication is limited in bandwidth due to the nature of the frequency selectivity of the readily available LEDs. More specifically, readily available LEDs behave like low frequency pass filters with frequency response H _LEDs (f). The frequency response H _LED (f) of a particular form of LED depends on a particular type of LED (blue or white). Therefore, it is envisioned that the frequency response will be given in the form of specifications from the LED manufacturer or will be obtained via experimental measurements. Note that the H _LED (f) does not depend on the specific location of the deployed LEDs and PDs. Considering the approximation of the optical channel in (7) and the frequency response of the _{LED HLED} (f), the composite LC channel containing both the LED and the actual physical optical channel is

Is expressed (approximate).

Note that in this example, it is indirectly assumed that all LEDs belong to the same family and have the same frequency response without losing universality. If this is not the case, the additional subscript in (8) can be used to indicate the different frequency response of each of the LED families used.

The system equations for single-carrier MIMO LC systems are such that the transmission rate is set appropriately to avoid intersymbol interference (ISI), or the ISI can be ignored.
y = rH _LED (f) H ^LC x + w ^LC (9)
It is written as.

受信信号ベクトルはｙと表記され、Ａ／Ｗを単位としたＰＤの応答度はｒと表記され、Ｈ^ＬＣは光学的な物理的なＭＩＭＯチャンネルを表す

行列であり、Ｈ^ＬＣの（ｉ，ｊ）要素

、および、

は（２）により与えられ、ｘは

送信光信号ベクトルであり、ｘの要素は、使用されるＭＩＭＯ送信スキーム、および二進データを光学的に変調するために使用されるコンスタレーションに依存し、最後に、ｗ^ＬＣは、環境ショットおよび熱雑音の複合効果を表す

ベクトルである。 In (9)

The received signal vector is expressed as y, the response rate of PD in units of A / W is expressed as r, and ^HLC represents an optical physical MIMO channel.

It is a matrix and the (i, j) element of ^HLC .

,and,

Is given by (2) and x is

The transmitted optical signal vector, the element of x depends on the MIMO transmission scheme used and the constellation used to optically modulate the binary data, and finally the ^wLC is the environmental shot and Represents the combined effect of thermal noise

It is a vector.

と数学的に記述される

最後の処理は、特定の光ＯＦＤＭベースのスキームに依存する。ここで、

は生成されたサブキャリアの数である。任意の形態の線形および非線形ひずみ、例えばＤＣ－ＯＦＤＭに対するクリッピングが無視される限り、前述の式が有効であることに留意されたい。 Due to the nature of optical channels, the formation of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based communications is more difficult than radio frequency (RF) communications. More specifically, as mentioned above, optical channels support the transmission of real and non-negative signals. Therefore, the design of the multi-carrier LC requires the treatment of the above-mentioned restrictions. A technique for generating a real signal from a complex signal is the use of an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) combined with its Hermitian symmetry in the frequency domain. This technique produces a real signal that can be negative or positive by sacrificing half of the available subcarriers. Since the resulting signal is still negative or positive (bipolar), the resulting signal can be represented / approximated by a positive form (unipolar). According to the literature, this is achieved using a different approach. This is described in (eg, Tsonev, Sinovic, and Haas, "Complete Modeling of Nonliner Distortion in OFDM-Based Wireless Communications," Journal of Lightwave, p. It has resulted in a plethora of optical OFDM-based modulation schemes. One example is DCO-OFDM, which, in combination with clipping (to remove large values), simply introduces a DC bias into the resulting bipolar signal. Despite the plethora of different OFDM-based schemes, all schemes are aimed at producing many orthogonal subcarriers that form a flat transmission spectrum. Regardless of the optical OFDM-based modulation scheme considered, the kth subcarrier is after applying the IFF and appropriate representation processing.

Mathematically described as

The final processing depends on a particular optical OFDM-based scheme. here,

Is the number of subcarriers generated. Note that the above equation is valid as long as any form of linear and non-linear distortion, such as clipping to DC-OFDM, is ignored.

Cellular deployments in LC networks As with RF communications, LCs can be used in cellular deployments where multiple access points (APs) are assigned to provide radio coverage in indoor space. For example, multiple illuminants acting as LC APs may be adequately located on the ceiling of the room for lighting and optical wireless communication. Here, it is assumed that the LC APs considered are interconnected using a backhaul connection, such as a power over Ethernet. The main purpose of cellular communication is to increase the number of stations (STAs) served by spatially dividing the considered (indoor) space into multiple cells. Each cell is assigned a specific number of STAs served in a specific portion of the available optical spectrum. The allocation of spectra in each cell depends on the policies and frequency reuse factors considered. The value of the frequency reuse factor determines the level of interference observed by each cell. Within the limits, the entire spectrum is used across the cellular network and the highest levels of interference are observed. In addition, each STA is associated with a particular AP (cell) based on a particular function of interest. For example, one method is to associate each STA with an AP that provides the highest signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR). An alternative method is to associate each STA with the AP that is closest in space. It should be noted that in LC, due to the directional nature of the optical radio channel, the formation of the LC cellular system is greatly influenced by the geometric composition of the AP and the spatial position and orientation of the STA. This becomes clear by confirming (2) and (8). From (2) and (8) it can be confirmed that the parameters of the spatial configuration of the transceiver and its optical specifications determine its optical channel and, as a result, the exact value of its observed received SINR.

Approximate placement in LC cellular networks A major feature of LC is the highly directional nature of its optical channels, especially when using a lens. In particular, this can be clearly confirmed from (2) and (8), where the optical radio channel is approximated by a more convenient form. More specifically, (2) and (8) show that the LC channel is determined by the geometry of the transceiver considered and the specifications of the LEDs and PDs deployed.

と表され、ここで、Ｐ_ｋは、ｋ番目のサブキャリアにおける送信光パワーであり、Ｎ_ｋは、ｋ番目のサブキャリアにおけるガウシアンおよびシュートノイズの分散であり、Ｉ_ｋは、ｋ番目のサブキャリアにおける干渉パワーである。ここで、｜｜ ｜｜_Ｆはフロベニウスノルムである。 The realized receive SINR of the LC transceiver in the kth subcarrier is

Here, P _k is the transmitted optical power in the kth subcarrier, _Nk is the dispersion of Gaussian and shoot noise in the kth subcarrier, and Ik is the _kth subcarrier. Interference power in the carrier. Here, || || _F is the Frobenius norm.

In future cellular LC networks, it can be envisioned that interference will be adequately controlled due to careful deployment planning of transmit LEDs. Thus, the effect of the interference is negligible (I _k ≈ 0), or the value of the interference I _k can be accurately estimated or limited for any given position in space. It can be assumed. In particular, for each of the LC cells considered, the maximum level of interference I _max can be calculated offline for the coverage area of each cell. Therefore, for each LC cell, the interference _Ik in (11) can be treated as a known deterministic quantity. For this reason, the simultaneous observations of (2)-(8), and (11) indicate that the value of SINR _k can be accurately estimated / limited from (11) for each position in the three-dimensional space. show. Therefore, if the cell association method used by the LC cellular network is based on the value of SINR _k in (11) for one, some, or all available subcarriers, then the coverage area of each cell Can be accurately defined and estimated. The direct result of this conclusion is that if the LC receiver is associated with a particular cell, the network will be able to know the exact location of this receiver. Of course, this is directly valid if the cell relevance is based on the spatial position of the LC receiver.

In general, it can be concluded that due to the directional nature of the LC channel, the coverage space of the LC cell can be accurately estimated from the network. Therefore, if the LC receiver is associated with a particular LC cell, its approximate location is directly known by the network.

Appendix B
The paragraphs numbered below present the embodiments of the present disclosure and refer to the claims attached herein.

1. 1. A communication system that includes a host computer, and the host computer
-Processing circuits configured to provide user data and
-Communication interfaces configured to transfer user data to the cellular network for transmission to the user equipment (UE),
Equipped with
-The cellular network comprises a base station including a radio interface and a processing circuit so that the processing circuit of the base station performs any of the steps according to any one of claims 1-10. Set,
Communications system.

2. 2. Including more base stations,
The communication system according to the embodiment "1.".

3. 3. Including the UE, the UE is set to communicate with the base station,
The communication system according to the embodiment "1." or "2.".

4.
-The processing circuit of the host computer is configured to run the host application and thus provide user data.
-The UE has a processing circuit configured to run client applications related to the host application.
The communication system according to any one of the embodiments "1." to "3.".

5. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user device (UE).
-Providing user data on the host computer
-In the host computer, the transmission of transmitting user data to the UE via a cellular network including a base station is started, and the base station performs the steps according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Do whatever you want, start sending, and
Including the method.

6. Further including transmitting user data in the base station,
The method according to the embodiment "5.".

7. User data is provided on the host computer by running the host application, and the method further comprises running the client application associated with the host application on the UE.
The method according to embodiment "5." or "6.".

8. A user device (UE) configured to communicate with a base station, wherein the UE is configured to perform a wireless interface and any one of embodiments "5." to "7." A UE with a processing circuit.

9. A communication system that includes a host computer, and the host computer
-Processing circuits configured to provide user data and
-Communication interfaces configured to transfer user data to the cellular network for transmission to the user equipment (UE),
Equipped with
-The UE comprises a wireless interface and a processing circuit, and the components of the UE are configured to perform any of the steps described in any one of the embodiments of Group A.
Communications system.

10. The cellular network further includes a base station configured to communicate with the UE,
The communication system according to the embodiment "9.".

11.
-The processing circuit of the host computer is configured to run the host application and thus provide user data.
-The processing circuit of the UE is set to execute the client application related to the host application.
The communication system according to the embodiment "9." or "10.".

12. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user device (UE).
-Providing user data on the host computer
-In the host computer, the transmission of transmitting user data to the UE via a cellular network including a base station is started, and the UE is in the step according to any one of claims 11 to 18. Do whatever you want, start sending, and
Including, how.

13. In the UE, further including receiving user data from the base station,
The method according to the embodiment "12.".

14. A communication system that includes a host computer, and the host computer
-Equipped with a communication interface configured to receive user data resulting from transmission from the user equipment (UE) to the base station.
-The UE comprises a wireless interface and a processing circuit, and the processing circuit of the UE is set to perform any of the steps according to any one of claims 11-18.
Communications system.

15. Including UE further,
The communication system according to the embodiment "14.".

16. A wireless interface that further includes a base station and is configured for the base station to communicate with the UE, and a communication interface configured to transfer user data transmitted by transmission from the UE to the base station to the host computer. Equipped with
The communication system according to the embodiment "14." or "15.".

17.
-The processing circuit of the host computer is set to run the host application.
-The processing circuit of the UE is set to execute the client application related to the host application and thus provide the user data.
The communication system according to any one of the embodiments "14." to "16.".

18.
-The processing circuit of the host computer is configured to run the host application and thus provide the request data.
-The processing circuit of the UE is set to execute the client application related to the host application and thus provide the user data in response to the request data.
The communication system according to any one of the embodiments "14." to "17.".

19. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user device (UE).
-Receiving user data transmitted from the UE to the base station on the host computer, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any one of claims 11-18. Receiving user data,
Including, how.

20. In the UE, further including providing user data to the base station,
The method according to the embodiment "19.".

21.
-In the UE, execute the client application and provide the user data to be transmitted.
-Running a host application related to a client application on the host computer,
The method according to embodiment "19." or "20.", further comprising.

22.
-Running client applications on the UE
-In the UE, receiving input data to the client application, the input data receiving input data provided on the host computer by executing the host application associated with the client application.
Including
-The transmitted user data is provided by the client application in response to the input data.
The method according to any one of embodiments "19." to "21.".

23. A communication system that includes a host computer, wherein the host computer has a communication interface configured to receive user data resulting from transmission from a user device (UE) to the base station, and the base station has a wireless interface and processing. A circuit is provided and the processing circuit of the base station is set to carry out any one of the steps according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
Communications system.

24. Including more base stations,
The communication system according to the embodiment "23.".

25. Including the UE, the UE is set to communicate with the base station,
The communication system according to the embodiment "23." or "24.".

26.
-The processing circuit of the host computer is set to run the host application.
-The UE is configured to run the client application associated with the host application and thus provide the user data received by the host computer.
The communication system according to any one of the embodiments "23." to "25.".

27. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user device (UE).
-In the host computer, the reception of user data from the base station resulting from the transmission received by the base station from the UE, wherein the UE is any of the steps of any one of claims 11-18. Doing things, receiving user data,
How to include.

28. Further including receiving user data from the UE at the base station,
The method according to the embodiment "27.".

29. Further including initiating transmission of received user data to the host computer at the base station,
The method according to embodiment "27." or "28.".

Claims (40)

A method performed by a radio access network node (102, 600, 700) for selecting a transmit beam or a receive beam for communication with a radio device (104) in a communication network, wherein the radio access network node ( 102, 600, 700) comprises a plurality of antenna elements configurable to provide a plurality of transmit or receive beams (110), wherein the communication network is one or more radio optical communication (LC) networks. The method further comprises a node (106).
Acquiring information (202, 300) that identifies the target wireless LC network node (106) to which the wireless device (104) is connected,
To select a subset (114) of the plurality of transmit or receive beams based on the identified wireless LC network node (204a, 304).
Initiating a beam sweeping process using the transmit or receive beam subset to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with the radio device (206, 310).
Including, how. A subset (114) of the transmit beam corresponds to or a subset (114) of the receive beam directed at the coverage area (107) of the identified wireless LC network node (106). Corresponds to the received beam directed to receive transmissions from the coverage area (107) of the identified wireless LC network node (106).
The method according to claim 1. The selection of a subset of the transmit or receive beam responds to the determination (302) that a line of sight is between the radio access network node and the radio device.
The method according to claim 2. The step (304) of selecting a subset of transmit or receive beams is a portion of said transmit or receive beam previously selected for communication with a radio device connected to the identified wireless LC network node. Including identifying the set (308),
The method according to claim 1. The selection of a subset of the transmit or receive beam responds to the determination that a line of sight does not exist between the radio access network node and the radio device.
The method according to claim 4. The step (300) of acquiring the information identifying the wireless LC network node (106) comprises receiving a message from the wireless device (104) including the marking of the wireless LC network node (106).
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The step (300) of acquiring the information identifying the wireless LC network node (106) includes receiving a message from the wireless LC network node (106) including the marking of the identification information of the wireless device (104). ,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The beam sweeping step performs measurements on the transmitted or received signal using each of the transmitted or received beam subsets in order to obtain the respective values for the radioscale.
To select the transmit or receive beam that has the best value for the radioscale for communication with the radio device.
including,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The plurality of transmit or receive beams are defined by one or more of a plurality of analog beam formers, a plurality of analog couplers, a digital codebook of the beam former, and a digital codebook of the coupler. Be done,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The radio access network node (102, 600, 700) is configured to implement one or more of a radio cellular radio specification and a radio local area network specification.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A method performed by a radio device (104, 800, 900) for selecting a transmit beam or a receive beam for communication with a radio access network node (102) in a communication network, wherein the radio device is plural. The communication network further comprises one or more radio optical communication (LC) network nodes (106), comprising a plurality of antenna elements configurable to provide the transmit or receive beam (112) of the said communication network. The method is
Connecting to a wireless LC network node (106) (200, 400),
To select a subset (116) of the plurality of transmit or receive beams based on the wireless LC network node of interest to which the wireless device is connected (204b, 406).
Performing a beam sweeping step using a subset of the transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with the radio access network node (102) (206, 408). When,
Including, how. Further comprising acquiring the direction of the radio device (402), a subset of the transmit or receive beam is selected based on the direction of the radio device.
The method according to claim 11. Further comprising acquiring information identifying the location of the radio access network node (102) with respect to the radio LC network node (106) (404), the transmit or receive beam subset (116) is the radio. Selected based on the location of the access network node (102),
The method according to claim 11 or 12. The information that identifies the position of the radio access network node includes the arrival angle information for one or more transmissions received from the radio access network node, the position information received from the radio LC network node, and the above. Containing one or more of the location information received from the radio access network node,
13. The method of claim 13. The transmit beam subset (116) corresponds to or is a subset of the receive beam directed from the identified radio LC network node coverage area (107) to the radio access network node. (116) corresponds to the received beam in the coverage area (107) of the identified wireless LC network node directed to receive transmissions from the wireless access network node.
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14. The beam sweeping step performs measurements on the transmitted or received signal using each of the transmitted or received beam subsets to obtain the respective values for the radioscale.
Selecting the transmit or receive beam with the best value for the radioscale for communication with the radio access network node (208b, 410), and
including,
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15. The plurality of transmit or receive beams are defined by one or more of a plurality of analog beam formers, a plurality of analog couplers, a digital codebook of the beam former, and a digital codebook of the coupler. Be done,
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16. The radio access network node (102) is configured to implement one or more of a radio cellular radio specification and a radio local area network specification.
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17. A method performed by radio optical communication (LC) network nodes (106, 1000, 1100) in a communication network, wherein the communication network further includes one or more radio access network nodes, each radio access network node. However, each radio cell is formed, and the above method is used.
Establishing a wireless LC connection with a wireless device (104) (200, 500) and
Sending an informational message to the radio access network node (102), including an indication that the radio device is connected to the radio LC network node (204, 502),
Including, how. The indication that the wireless device is connected to the wireless LC network node comprises the identification information of the wireless device (104).
19. The method of claim 19. The information message further includes identification information of the wireless LC network node (106).
The method of claim 19 or 20. The informational message is transmitted in response to receiving a request message from one or more of the radio access network node and the radio device.
The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21. The information message is transmitted in response to establishing the wireless LC connection with the wireless device.
The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21. A radio access network node (600) for selecting a transmit beam or a receive beam for communication with a radio device in a communication network, wherein the communication network is one or more radio optical communication (LC) network nodes. A plurality of antenna elements (606) that the radio access network node can be configured to provide a processing circuit (602), a non-temporary machine-readable medium (604), and a plurality of transmit or receive beams. ) To the radio access network node when the non-temporary machine-readable medium is executed by the processing circuit.
Acquiring information that identifies the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected, and
To select a subset of the plurality of transmit or receive beams based on the identified wireless LC network node.
Initiating a beam sweeping process using a subset of the transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with the radio device.
Remembers the command to do
Radio access network node (600). A subset of the transmit beam corresponds to the transmit beam directed at the coverage area of the identified wireless LC network node, or a subset of the receive beam corresponds to the identified wireless LC network node. Corresponding to the received beam directed to receive transmissions from the coverage area,
The radio access network node according to claim 24. The selection of a subset of the transmit or receive beam responds to the determination that a line of sight is between the radio access network node and the radio device.
25. The radio access network node of claim 25. The radio access network node identifies the transmit or receive beam by identifying a subset of the transmit or receive beams previously selected for communication with the wireless device connected to the identified radio LC network node. You can select a subset of the beam,
The radio access network node according to claim 24. The selection of a subset of the transmit or receive beam responds to the determination that the line of sight is not present between the radio access network node and the radio device.
The radio access network node according to claim 27. The radio access network node is made to acquire information for identifying the radio LC network node by receiving a message from the radio device including the indication of the radio LC network node.
The radio access network node according to any one of claims 24 to 28. The wireless access network node is made to acquire information for identifying the wireless LC network node by receiving a message from the wireless LC network node including the indication of the identification information of the wireless device.
The radio access network node according to any one of claims 24 to 28. The beam sweeping process
Performing measurements on transmitted or received signals using each of the transmitted or received beam subsets to obtain their respective values for the radioscale.
To select the transmit or receive beam that has the best value for the radioscale for communication with the radio device.
including,
The radio access network node according to any one of claims 24 to 30. A wireless device (800) for selecting a transmit beam or a receive beam for communication with a wireless access network node in a communication network, wherein the communication network is one or more wireless optical communication (LC) network nodes. The wireless device further comprises a processing circuit (802), a non-temporary machine-readable medium (804), and a plurality of antenna elements (806) configurable to provide the plurality of transmit or receive beams. When the non-temporary machine-readable medium is executed by the processing circuit, the wireless device is provided.
Connecting to the wireless LC network node and
To select a subset of the plurality of transmit or receive beams based on the wireless LC network node of interest to which the wireless device is connected.
Performing a beam sweeping step using a subset of the transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with the radio access network node.
Remembers the command to do
Wireless device (800). The radio device is further made to acquire the direction of the radio device, and a subset of the transmit or receive beam is selected based on the direction of the radio device.
The wireless device according to claim 32. The radio device is further made to acquire information identifying the location of the radio access network node with respect to the radio LC network node, and the transmit or receive beam subset is based on the location of the radio access network node. Is selected,
The wireless device according to claim 32 or 33. A subset of the transmit beam corresponds to the transmit beam directed from the identified coverage area of the radio LC network node to the radio access network node, or a subset of the receive beam is the radio access network. Corresponding to the received beam in the coverage area of the identified radio LC network node directed to receive transmissions from the node.
The wireless device according to any one of claims 32 to 34. The beam sweeping process
Performing measurements on transmitted or received signals using each of the transmitted or received beam subsets to obtain their respective values for the radioscale.
To select the transmit or receive beam that has the best value for the radioscale for communication with the radio access network node.
including,
The wireless device according to any one of claims 32 to 35. A wireless optical communication (LC) network node (1000) in a communication network, wherein the communication network further includes one or more wireless access network nodes, each wireless access network node forming a respective wireless cell. The wireless LC network node is a processing circuit (1002) and a non-temporary machine-readable medium (1004), and when executed by the processing circuit, the wireless LC network node is connected to the wireless LC network node.
Establishing a wireless LC connection with a wireless device and
Sending an informational message to the radio access network node, including an indication that the radio device is connected to the radio LC network node,
Equipped with a non-temporary machine-readable medium (1004) that stores instructions to perform.
Wireless optical communication (LC) network node (1000). A non-temporary machine-readable medium that stores instructions for execution by a processing circuit of a radio access network node to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with a radio device in a communication network, said radio. The access network node comprises a plurality of antenna elements that can be configured to provide a plurality of transmit or receive beams, wherein the communication network further comprises one or more radio optical communication (LC) network nodes. Execution of the instruction by the processing circuit causes the radio access network node to execute.
Acquiring information that identifies the target wireless LC network node to which the wireless device is connected, and
To select a subset of the plurality of transmit or receive beams based on the identified wireless LC network node.
Initiating a beam sweeping process using a subset of the transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with the radio device.
To do,
Non-temporary machine-readable medium. A non-temporary machine-readable medium that stores instructions for execution by a processing circuit of a wireless device for selecting a transmit beam or receive beam for communication with a wireless access network node in a communication network, said wireless. The device comprises a plurality of antenna elements configurable to provide a plurality of transmit or receive beams, the communication network further comprising one or more radio optical communication (LC) network nodes, said processing circuit. Execution of the command by the wireless device
Connecting to a wireless LC network node and
To select a subset of the plurality of transmit or receive beams based on the wireless LC network node of interest to which the wireless device is connected.
Performing a beam sweeping step using a subset of the transmit or receive beams to select a transmit or receive beam for communication with the radio access network node.
To do,
Non-temporary machine-readable medium. A non-temporary machine-readable medium that stores instructions for execution by a processing circuit of a radio optical communication (LC) network node in a communication network, wherein the communication network further comprises one or more radio access network nodes. Each radio access network node forms its own radio cell, and the execution of the command by the processing circuit causes the radio LC network node to execute.
Establishing a wireless LC connection with a wireless device and
Sending an informational message to the radio access network node, including an indication that the radio device is connected to the radio LC network node,
To do,
Non-temporary machine-readable medium.

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